A Briefe and True Report of the New Found Land of Virginia (Rosenwald Collection Reprint Series)

A briefe and true report of the new found land of Virginia

A Briefe and True Report of the New Found Land of Virginia

A Brief and True Report of the New Found Land of Virginia

A briefe and true report of the new found land of Virginia: The 1590 Theodor de Bry Latin Edition

A Carolina Heritage Reprint of A Briefe And True Report of the New Found Land of Virginia

A Briefe and True Report of the New Found Land of Virginia: -1903

A Briefe and True Report of the New Found Land of Virginia

A briefe and true report of the new found land of Virginia - Scholar's Choice Edition

Produced by Norman M. Wolcott.

[Redactor's note: This is an 8 bit version with accented characters. Italics have been bracketed with the single 'quote' character. This is the 1590 edition of de Brys in the Library of Congress.]

A Briefe and True Report --- by Thomas Hariot

A briefe and true report of the new found land of Virginia, 'of the commodities and of the nature and man ners of the naturall inhabitants: Discouered b the English Colony there seated by' Sir Richard Greinuile Knight 'In the yeere 1585. Which rema =ined vnder the gouernment of twelue monethes, At the speciall charge and direction of the Honou= rable' SIR WALTER RALEIGH Knight, lord Warden of the stanneries Who therein hath beene fauoured and authorised b her' MAIESTIE ':and her letters patents: This fore booke Is made in English By Thomas Hariot; seruant to the abouenamed Sir' WALTER, 'a member of the Colon , and there implo ed in discouering.'

TO THE RIGHT WORTHIE AND HONOV- RABLE, SIR VVALTER RALEGH, KNIGHT, SENESCHAL OF THE DVCHIES OF Cornewall and Exeter, and L. Warden of the stannaries in Deuon and Cornewall, T.B. wisheth true felicitie.

'SIR, seeing that the parte of the Worlde, which is betwene the FLORIDAand the Cap BRETON nowe nammed VIRGINIA, to the honneur of yours mostsouueraine Layde and Queene ELIZABETZ, hath ben descouuerd by yoursmeanes. And great chardges. And that your Collonye hath been theerestablished to your great honnor and prayse, and noelesser proffit vntothe common welth: Yt ys good raison that euery man euertwehim selfe for to showe the benefit which they haue receue of yt.Theerfore, for my parte I haue been allwayes Desirous for to make yowknowe the good will that I haue to remayne still your most humblesŠruant. I haue thincke that I cold faynde noe better occasion todeclare yt, then takinge the paines to cott in copper (the most diligentye and well that wear in my possible to doe) the Figures which doeleuelye represent the forme aud maner of the Inhabitants of the sanecountrye with theirs ceremonies, sollemne,, feastes, and the manner andsituation of their Townes of Villages. Addinge vnto euery figure a briefdeclaration of the same, to that ende that cuerye man cold the bettervnderstand that which is in liuely represented. Moreouer I haue thinckethat the aforesaid figures wear of greater commendation, If sommeHistoire which traitinge of the commodites and fertillitye of therapport which Thomas Hariot hath lattely sett foorth, and haue caussethem booth togither to be printed for to dedicated vnto you, as a thiugewhich by reigtte dooth allreadye apparteyne vnto you. Therfore doe Icreaue that you will accept this little Booke, and take yt In goodepartte. And desiring that fauor that you will receue me in the nomber ofone of your most humble seruantz, besechinge the lord to blese andfurther you in all yours good doinges and actions, and allso topreserue, and keepe you allwayes in good helthe. And so I comitt youunto the almyhttie, from Franckfort the first of Apprill 1590.'

'Your most humble seruant,'

THEODORVS de BRY.

TO THE ADVEN- TVRERS, FAVORERS, AND VVELVVILLERS OF THE EN- TERPRISE FOR THE INHABITTING and planting in VIRGINIA.

SINCE the first vndertaking by Sir Walter Ralegh to deale in the actionof discouering of that Countrey which is now called and known by thename of VIRGINIA; many voyages hauing bin thiter made at sundrie timesto his great charge; as first in the yeere 1584. and afterwardes in theyeeres 1585. '1586'. and now of late this last yeare of '1587'. Therehaue bin diuers and variable reportes with some slaunderous andshamefull speeches bruited abroade by many that returned from thence.Especially of that discouery which was made by the Colony transported bySir Richard Greinuile in the yeare '1585'. being of all the others themost principal and as yet of most effect, the time of their abode in thecountrey beeing a whole yeare, when as in the other voyage before theystaied but sixe weekes; and the others after were onelie for supply andtransportation, nothing more being discouered then had been before.Which reports haue not done a litle wrong to many that otherwise wouldhave also fauoured & aduentured in the action, to the honour andbenefite of our nation, besides the particular profite and credite whichwould redound to them selues the dealers therein; as I hope by thesequele of euents to the shame of those that haue auouched the contraryshalbe manifest: if you the aduenturers, fauourers, and welwillers dobut either encrease in number, or in opinion continue, or hauing bindoubtfull renewe your good liking and furtherance to deale thereinaccording to the worthinesse thereof alreadye found and as you shallvnderstand hereafter to be requisite. Touching which woorthines throughcause of the diuersitie of relations and reportes, manye of youropinions coulde not bee firme, nor the mindes of some that are welldisposed, bee setled in any certaintie.

I haue therefore thought it good beeing one that haue beene in thediscouerie and in dealing with the natuall inhabitantes speciallyimploied; and hauing therefore seene and knowne more then the ordinaire:to imparte so much vnto you of the fruites of our labours, as that youmay knowe howe iniuriously the enterprise is slaundered. And that inpublike manner at this present chiefelie for two respectes.

First that some of you which are yet ignorant or doubtfull of the statethereof, may see that there is sufficiŕt cause why the cheefeenterpriser with the fauour of her Maiestie, notwithstanding suchereportes; hath not onelie since continued the action by sending into thecountrey againe, and replanting this last yeere a new Colony; but isalso readie, according as the times and meanes will affoorde, to followand prosecute the same.

Secondly, that you seeing and knowing the continuance of the action bythe view hereof you may generally know & learne what the countrey is; &therevpon c§sider how your dealing therein if it proceede, may returneyou profit and gaine; bee it either by inhabitting & planting orotherwise in furthering thereof.

And least that the substance of my relation should be doubtful vnto you,as of others by reason of their diuersitie: I will first open the causein a few wordes wherefore they are [a 3] so different; referring myselue to your fauourable constructions, and to be adiudged of as by goodconsideration you shall finde cause.

Of our companie that returned some for their misdemenour and ill dealingin the countrey, haue beene there worthily punished; who by reason oftheir badde natures, haue maliciously not onelie spoken ill of theirGouernours; but for their sakes slaundered the countrie it selfe. Thelike also haue those done which were of their confort.

Some beeing ignorant of the state thereof, nothwithstanding since theirreturne amongest their friendes and acquaintance and also others,especially if they were in companie where they might not be gainesaide;woulde seeme to know so much as no men more; and make no men so greattrauailers as themselues. They stood so much as it maie seeme vppontheir credite and reputation that hauing been a twelue moneth in thecountrey, it woulde haue beene a great disgrace vnto them as theythought, if they coulde not haue saide much wheter it were true orfalse. Of which some haue spoken of more then euer they saw or otherwiseknew to bee there; othersome haue not bin ashamed to make absolutedeniall of that which although not by thŕ, yet by others is mostcertainely Ńd there plŕtifully knowne. And othersome make difficultiesof those things they haue no skill of.

The cause of their ignorance was, in that they were of that many thatwere neuer out of the Iland where wee were seated, or not farre, or atthe leastwise in few places els, during the time of our aboade in thecountrey; or of that many that after golde and siluer was not so soonefound, as it was by them looked for, had little or no care of any otherthing but to pamper their bellies; or of that many which had littlevnderstanding, lesse discretion, and more tongue then was needfull orrequisite.

Some also were of a nice bringing vp, only in cities or townes, or suchas neuer (as I may say) had seene the world before. Because there werenot to bee found any English cities, norsuch faire houses, nor at theirowne wish any of their olde accustomed daintie food, nor any soft bedsof downe or fethers: the countrey was to them miserable, & their reportsthereof according.

Because my purpose was but in briefe to open the cause of the varietieof such speeches; the particularities of them, and of many enuious,malicious, and slaűderous reports and deuises els, by our owne countreymen besides; as trifles that are not worthy of wise men to bee thoughtvpon, I meane not to trouble you withall: but will passe to thecommodities, the substance of that which I haue to make relation of vntoyou.

The treatise where of for your more readie view & easier vnderstanding Iwill diuide into three speciall parts. In the first I will makedeclaration of such commodities there alreadie found or to be raised,which will not onely serue the ordinary turnes of you which are andshall bee the plŃters and inhabitants, but such an ouerplus sufficientlyto bee yelded, or by men of skill to bee prouided, as by way oftrafficke and exchaunge with our owne nation of England, will enrichyour selues the prouiders; those that shal deal with you; theenterprisers in general; and greatly profit our owne countrey men, tosupply them with most things which heretofore they haue bene faine toprouide, either of strangers or of our enemies: which commodities fordistinction sake, I call 'Merchantable'.

In the second, I will set downe all the c§modities which wee know thecountrey by our experience doeth yeld of its selfe for victuall, andsustenance of mans life; such as is vsually fed vpon by the inhabitantsof the countrey, as also by vs during the time we were there.

In the last part I will make mention generally of such other c§moditiesbesides, as I am able to remember, and as I shall thinke behoofull forthose that shall inhabite, and plant there to knowe of; which speciallyconcerne building, as also some other necessary vses: with a briefedescription of the nature and maners of the people of the countrey.

THE FIRST PART, OF MARCHAN- TABLE COMMO- DITIES.

'Silke of grasse or grasse Silke.'

THere is a kind of grasse in the countrey vppon the blades where ofthere groweth very good silke in forme of a thin glittering skin to beestript of. It groweth two foote and a halfe high or better: the bladesare about two foot in length, and half inch broad. The like groweth inPersia, which is in the selfe same climate as Virginia, of which verymany of the silke workes that come from thence into Europe are made.Here of if it be planted and ordered as in Persia, it cannot in reasonbe otherwise, but that there will rise in shorte time great profite tothe dealers therein; seeing there is so great vse and vent thereof aswell in our countrey as els where. And by the meanes of sowing & plŃtingin good ground, it will be farre greater, better, and more plentifullthen it is. Although notwithstanding there is great store thereof inmany places of the countrey growing naturally and wilde. Which also byproof here in England, in making a piece of silke Grogran, we found tobe excellent good.

'Worme Silke.'

In manie of our iourneyes we found silke wormes fayre and great; asbigge as our ordinary walnuttes. Although it hath not beene our happe tohaue found such plentie as elsew here to be in the coutrey we haue heardof; yet seeing that the countrey doth naturally breede and nourish them,there is no doubt but if art be added in plantig of mulbery trees andothers fitte for them in commodious places, for their feeding andnourishing; and some of them carefully gathered and husbanded in thatsort as by men of skill is knowne to be necessarie: there will rise asgreat profite in time to the Virginians, as there of doth now to thePersians, Turkes, Italians, and Spaniards.

'Flaxe and Hempe.'

The trueth is that of Hempe and Flaxe there is no greate store in anyone place together, by reason it is not planted but as the soile dothyeeld it of it selfe; and howsoeuer the leafe, and stemme or stalke doediffer from ours; the stuffe by the iudgemŕt of men of skill isaltogether as good as ours. And if not, as further proofe should findeotherwise; we haue that experience of the soile, as thas there canno beeshewed anie reason to the contrary, but that it will grow thereexcellent well; and by planting will be yeelded plentifully: seeingthere is so much ground whereof some may well be applyed to suchpurposes. What benefite heereof may growe in cordage and linnens who cannot easily vnderstand?

'Allum.'

There is a veine of earth along the sea coast for the space of fourtieor fiftie miles, whereof by the iudgement of some that have made triallheere in England, is made good Allum, of that kinde which is calledRoche Allum. The richnesse of such a commoditie is so well knowne that Ineede not to saye any thing thereof. The same earth doth also yeeldeWhite Copresse, Nitrum, and Alumen Plumeum, but nothing so plentifullyas the common Allum; which be also of price and profitable.

'Wapeih:'

Wapeih, a kinde of earth so called by the naturall inhabitants; verylike to terra sigillata: and hauing beene refined, it hath beene foundby some of our Phisiti§s and Chirurgeons to bee of the same kinde ofvertue and more effectuall. The inhabitŃts vfe it very much for the cureof sores and woundes: there is in diuers places great plentie, and insome places of a blewe sort.

'Pitch, Tarre, Rozen, and Turpentine.'

There are those kindes of trees which yeelde them abundantly and greatstore. In the very same Iland where wee were seated, being fifteenemiles of length, and fiue or sixe miles in breadth, there are fewe treesels but of the same kind; the whole Iland being full. [Sassafras.]

'Sassafras.'

Sassafras, called by the inhabitantes Winauk, a kinde of wood of mostpleasand and sweete smel; and of most rare vertues in phisick for thecure of many diseases. It is found by experience to bee farre better andof more vses then the wood which is called Guaiacum, or Lignum vitŠ. Forthe description, the manner of vsing and the manifolde vertues thereof,I referre you to the booke of Monardus, translated and entituled inEnglish, The ioyfull newes from the West Indies.

'Cedar.'

Cedar, a very sweet wood & fine timber; whereof if nests of chests bethere made, or timber therof fitted for sweet & fine bedsteads, tables,or deskes, lutes, virginalles & many things else, (of which there hathbeene proofe made already) to make vp fraite with other principalcommodities will yeeld profite.

'Wine.'

There are two kinds of grapes that the soile doth yeeld naturally: theone is small and sowre of the ordinarie bignesse as ours in England: theother farre greater & of himselfe iushious sweet. When they are plŃtedand husbandeg as they ought, a principall commoditie of wines by themmay be raised.

'Oyle.'

There are two sortes of Walnuttes both holding oyle, but the one farremore plentifull then the other. When there are milles & other deuisesfor the purpose, a commodity of them may be raised because there areinfinite store. There are also three seuerall kindes of Berries in theforme of Oke akornes, which also by the experience and vse of theinhabitantes, wee finde to yeelde very good and sweete oyle. Furthermorethe Beares of the countrey are commonly very fatte, and in some placesthere are many: their fatnesse because it is so liquid, may well betermed oyle, and hath many speciall vses.

'Furres:'

All along the Sea coast there are great store of Otters, which beeyingtaken by weares and other engines made for the purpose, will yeelde goodprofite. Wee hope also of Marterne furres, and make no doubt by therelation of the people but that in some places of the countrey there arestore: although there were but two skinnes that came to our handes.Luzarnes also we haue vnderstŃding of. although for the time we sawnone.

'Deare skinnes.'

Deare skinnes dressed after the manner of Chamoes or vndressed are to behad of the naturall inhabitants thousands yeerely by way of triffickefor trifles: and no more wast or spoile of Deare then is and hath beeneordinarily in time before.

'Ciuet cattes.'

In our trauailes, there was founde one to haue beene killed by a saluageor inhabitant: and in an other place the smell where one or more hadlately beene before: whereby we gather besides then by the relation ofthe people that there are some in the countrey: good profite will riseby them.

'Iron.'

In two places of the countrey specially, one about fourescore and theother sixe score miles from the Fort or place where wee dwelt: weefounde neere the water side the ground to be rockie, which by the triallof a minerall man, was founde to holde Iron richly. It is founde inmanie places of the countrey else. I knowe nothing to the contrarie, butthat it maie bee allowed for a good marchantable commoditie, consideringthere the small charge for the labour and feeding of men: the infinitestore of wood: the want of wood and deerenesse thereof in England: & thenecessity of ballasting of shippes.

'Copper.'

A hundred and fiftie miles into the maine in two townes wee founde withthe inhabitaunts diuerse small plates of copper, that had beene made aswee vnderstood, by the inhabitantes that dwell farther into thecountrey: where as they say are mountaines and Riuers that yeelde alsowhyte graynes of Mettall, which is to bee deemed Siluer. Forconfirmation whereof at the time of our first arriuall in the Countrey,I sawe with some others with mee, two small peeces of siluer groslybeaten about the weight of a Testrone, hangyng in the eares of a Wiroansor chiefe Lorde that dwelt about fourescore myles from vs; of whomthorowe enquiry, by the number of dayes and the way, I learned that ithad come to his handes from the same place or neere, where I aftervnderstood the copper was made and the white graynes of mettall founde.The aforesaide copper wee also founde by triall to holde siluer.

'Pearle.'

Sometimes in feeding on muscles wee founde some pearle; but it was ourhap to meete with ragges, or of a pide colour; not hauing yet discoueredthose [places] places where wee hearde of better and more plentie. Oneof our companie; a man of skill in such matters, had gathered to getherfrom among the sauage people aboute fiue thousande: of which number hechose so many as made a fayre chaine, which for their likenesse andvniformitie in roundnesse, orientnesse, and pidenesse of mŃy excellentcolours, with equalitie in greatnesse, were verie fayer and rare; andhad therefore beene presented to her Maiestie, had wee not by casualtieand through extremity of a storme, lost them with many things els incomming away from the countrey.

'Sweete Gummes.'

Sweete Gummes of diuers kindes and many other Apothecary drugges ofwhich wee will make speciall mention, when wee shall receiue it fromsuch men of skill in that kynd, that in taking reasonable paines shalldiscouer them more particularly then wee haue done; and than now I canmakc relation of, for want of the examples I had prouited and gathered,and are nowe lost. with other thinges by causualtie before mentioned.

'Dyes of diuers kindes.'

There is Shoemake well knowen, and vsed in England for blacke; the seedeof an hearbe called Wasewˇwr; little small rootes called Chßppacor; andthe barke of the tree called by the inhabitaunts Tangomˇckonomindge:which Dies are for diuers sortes of red: their goodnesse for our Englishclothes remayne yet to be proued. The inhabitants vse them onely for thedying of hayre; and colouring of their faces, aud Mantles made of Deareskinnes; and also for the dying of Rushes to make artificiall workeswithall in their Mattes and Baskettes; hauing no other thing besidesthat they account of, apt to vse them for. If they will not prouemerchantable there is no doubt but the Planters there shall finde aptevses for them, as also for other colours which wee knowe to be there.

'Oade.'

A thing of so great vent and vse amongst English Diers, which cannot beeyeelded sufficiently in our owne countrey for spare of ground; may beeplanted in Virginia, there being ground enough. The grouth therof neednot to be doubted when as in the Ilandes of the Asores it growethplentifully, which is in thesame climate. So likewise of Madder.

'Suger canes.'

Whe carried thither Suger canes to plant which beeing not so wellpreserued as was requisit, & besides the time of the yere being past fortheir setting when we [b 2] arriued, wee could not make that proofe ofthem as wee desired. NotwithstŃding, seeing that they grow in the sameclimate, in the South part of Spaine and in Barbary, our hope in reasonmay yet continue. So likewise for Orenges, and Lemmons, there may beplanted also Quinses. Wherebi may grow in reasonable time if the actionbe diligently prosecuted, no small commodities in Sugers, Suckets, andMarmalades.

Many other commodities by planting may there also bee raised, which Ileaue to your discret and gentle considerations: and many also may beethere which yet we haue not discouered. Two more commodities of greatvalue one of certaintie, and the other in hope, not to be planted, butthere to be raised & in short time to be prouided and prepared, I mighthave specified. So likewise of those commodities already set downe Imight haue said more; as of the particular places where they are foundeand best to be planted and prepared: by what meanes and in whatreasonable space of time they might be raised to profit and in whatproportion; but because others then welwillers might bee therewithallacquainted, not to the good of the action, I haue wittingly omittedthem: knowing that to those that are well disposed I haue vttered,according to my promise and purpose, for this part sufficient. [THE]

THE SECOND PART, OF SVCHE COMMO-- DITIES AS VIRGINIA IS knowne to yeelde for victuall and sustenŃce of mans life, vsually fed vpon by the naturall inhabitants: as also by vs during the time of our aboad. And first of such as are sowed and husbanded.

PAGATOWR, a kinde of graine so called by the inhabitants; the same inthe West Indies is called MAYZE: English men call it Guinney wheate orTurkie wheate, according to the names of the countreys from whence thelike hath beene brought. The graine is about the bignesse of ourordinary English peaze and not much different in forme and shape: but ofdiuers colours: some white, some red, some yellow, and some blew. All ofthem yeelde a very white and sweete flowre: beeing vsed according to hiskinde it maketh a very good bread. Wee made of the same in the countreysome mault, whereof was brued as good ale as was to bee desired. Solikewise by the help of hops therof may bee made as good Beere. It is agraine of marueilous great increase; of a thousand, fifteene hundred andsome two thousand fold. There are three sortes, of which two are ripe inan eleuen and twelue weekes at the most: sometimes in ten, after thetime they are set, and are then of height in stalke about sixe or seuenfoote. The other sort is ripe in fourteene, and is about ten foote high,of the stalkes some beare foure heads, some three, some one, and two:euery head c§taining fiue, sixe, or seuŕ hundred graines within a fewemore or lesse. Of these graines besides bread, the inhabitants makevictuall [b 3] eyther by parching them; or seething them whole vntillthey be broken; or boyling the floure with water into a pappe.

'Okindgier', called by vs 'Beanes', because in greatnesse & partly inshape they are like to the Beanes in England; sauing that they areflatter, of more diuers colours, and some pide. The leafe also of thestemme is much different. In taste they are altogether as good as ourEnglish peaze.

'Wickonzˇwr', called by vs 'Peaze', in respect of the beanes fordistinction sake, because they are much lesse; although in forme theylittle differ; but in goodnesse of tast much, & are far better then ourEnglish peaze. Both the beanes and peaze are ripe in tenne weekes afterthey are set. They make them victuall either by boyling them all topieces into a broth; or boiling them whole vntill they bee soft andbeginne to breake as is vsed in England, eyther by themselues or mixtlytogether: Sometime they mingle of the wheate with them. Sometime alsobeeing whole soddeu, they bruse or pound them in a morter, & thereofmake loaues or lumps of dowishe bread, which they vse to eat forvarietie.

'Macˇcqwer', according to their seuerall formes called by vs,'Pompions', 'Mellions', and 'Gourdes', because they are of the likeformes as those kindes in England. In 'Virginia' such of seuerall formesare of one taste and very good, and do also spring from one seed. Thereare of two sorts; one is ripe in the space of a moneth, and the other intwo moneths.

There is an hearbe which in Dutch is called 'Melden'. Some of those thatI describe it vnto, take it to be a kinde of Orage; it groweth aboutfoure or fiue foote high: of the seede thereof they make a thicke broth,and pottage of a very good taste: of the stalke by burning into ashesthey make a kinde of salt earth, wherewithall many vse sometimes toseason their brothes; other salte they knowe not. Wee our selues, vsedthe leaues also for pothearbes.

There is also another great hearbe in forme of a Marigolde, about sixefoote in height; the head with the floure is a spanne in breadth. Sometake it to bee 'Planta Solis': of the seedes heereof they make both akinde of bread and broth.

All the aforesaid commodities for victuall are set or sowed, sometimesin groundes a part and seuerally by themselues; but for the most parttogether in one ground mixtly: the manner thereof with the dressing andpreparing of the groűd, because I will note vnto you the fertilitie ofthe soile; I thinke good briefly to describe.

The ground they neuer fatten with mucke, dounge or any other thing;neither plow nor digge it as we in England, but onely prepare it in sortas followeth. A fewe daies before they sowe or set, the men with woodeninstruments, made almost in forme of mattockes or hoes with longhandles; the women with short peckers or parers, because they vse themsitting, of a foote long and about fiue inches in breadth: doe onelybreake the vpper part of the ground to rayse vp the weedes, grasse, &old stubbes of corne stalkes with their rootes. The which after a day ortwoes [drying] drying in the Sunne, being scrapte vp into many smallheapes, to saue them labour for carrying them away; they burne intoashes. ( And whereas some may thinke that they vse the ashes for tobetter the grounde; I say that then they woulde eyther disperse theashes abroade; which wee obserued they doe not, except the heapes beetoo great: or els would take speciall care to set their corne where theashes lie, which also wee finde they are carelesse of.) And this is allthe husbanding of their ground that they vse.

Then their setting or sowing is after this maner. First for their corne,beginning in one corner of the plot, with a pecker they make a hole,wherein they put foure graines with that care they touch not oneanother, (about an inch asunder) and couer them with the moulde againe:and so through out the whole plot, making such holes and vsing themafter such maner: but with this regard that they bee made in rŃkes,euery ranke differing from other halfe a fadome or a yarde, and theholes also in euery ranke, as much. By this meanes there is a yardespare ground betwene euery hole: where according to discretion here andthere, they set as many Beanes and Peaze: in diuers places also amongthe seedes of 'Macˇcqwer', 'Melden' and 'Planta Solis'.

The ground being thus set according to the rate by vs experimented, anEnglish Acre conteining fourtie pearches in length, and foure inbreadth, doeth there yeeld in croppe or ofcome of corne, beanes, andpeaze, at the least two hűdred London bushelles: besides the 'Macˇcqwer,Melden', and 'Planta Solis': When as in England fourtie bushelles of ourwheate yeelded out of such an acre is thought to be much.

I thought also good to note this vnto you, if you which shall inhabiteand plant there, maie know how specially that countrey corne is there tobe preferred before ours: Besides the manifold waies in applying it tovictuall, the increase is so much that small labour and paines isneedful in respect that must be vsed for ours. For this I can assure youthat according to the rate we haue made proofe of, one man may prepareand husbane so much grounde (hauing once borne corne before) with lessethŕ foure and twentie houres labour, as shall yeelde him victuall in alarge proporti§ for a twelue m§eth, if hee haue nothing else, but thatwhich the same groűd will yeelde, and of that kinde onelie which I hauebefore spoken of: the saide groűd being also but of fiue and twentieyards square. And if neede require, but that there is ground enough,there might be raised out of one and the selfsame ground two haruestesor ofcomes; for they sowe or set and may at anie time when they thinkegood from the middest of March vntill the ende of Iune: so that theyalso set when they haue eaten of their first croppe. In some places ofthe countrey notwithstanding they haue two haruests, as we haue heard,out of one and the same ground.

For English corne neuertheles whether to vse or not to vse it, you thatinhabite maie do as you shall haue farther cause to thinke best. Of thegrouth you need not to doubt: for barlie, oates and peaze, we haue seeneproof of, not beeing purposely [b 4] sowen but fallen casually in theworst sort of ground, and yet to be as faire as any we haue euer seenehere in England. But of wheat because it was musty and hat taken saltwater wee could make no triall: and of rye we had none. Thus much haue Idigressed and I hope not vnnecessarily: nowe will I returne againe to mycourse and intreate of that which yet remaineth appertaining to thisChapter.

There is an herbe which is sowed a part by it selfe & is called by theinhabitants Vppˇwoc: In the West Indies it hath diuers names, accordingto the seuerall places & countries where it groweth and is vsed: TheSpaniardes generally call it Tobacco. The leaues thereof being dried andbrought into powder: they vse to take the fume or smoke thereof bysucking it through pipes made of claie into their stomacke and heade;from whence it purgeth superfluous fleame & other grosse humors, openethall the pores & passages of the body: by which meanes the vse thereof,not only preserueth the body from obstructi§s; but also if any be, sothat they haue not beene of too long continuance, in short time breakeththem: wherby their bodies are notably preserued in health, & know notmany greeuous diseases wherewithall wee in England are oftentimesafflicted.

The Vppˇwoc us of so precious estimation amongest then, that they thinketheir gods are maruelously delighted therwith: Wherupon sometime theymake hallowed fires & cast some of the pouder therein for a sacrifice:being in a storme vppon the waters, to pacifie their gods, they castsome vp into the aire and into the water: so a weare for fish beingnewly set vp, they cast some therein and into the aire: also after anescape of danger, they cast some into the aire likewise: but all donewith strange gestures, stamping, somtime dauncing, clapping of hands,holding vp of hands, & staring vp into rhe heauens, vttering therewithaland chattering strange words & noises.

We ourselues during the time we were there vsed to suck it after theirmaner, as also since our returne, & haue found manie rare and wonderfulexperiments of the vertues thereof; of which the relation woulde requirea volume by it selfe: the vse of it by so manie of late, men & women ofgreat calling as else, and some learned Phisitions also, is sufficientwitnes.

And these are all the commodities for sustenance of life that I know andcan remember they vse to husband: all else that followe are foundegrowing naturally or wilde.

'Of Rootes.'

OPENAVK are a kind of roots of round forme, some of the bignes ofwalnuts, some far greater, which are found in moist & marish groundsgrowing many together one by another in ropes, or as thogh they werefastnened with a string. Being boiled or sodden they are very good meate.

OKEEPENAVK are also of round shape, found in dry grounds: some are [ofthe] of the bignes of a mans head. They are to be eaten as they aretaken out of the ground, for by reason of their drinesse they willneither roste nor seeth. Their tast is not so good as of the formerrootes, notwithstanding for want of bread & somtimes for varietie theinhabitants vse to eate them with fish or flesh, and in my iudgementthey doe as well as the houshold bread made of rie heere in England.

'Kaish˙cpenauk' a white kind of roots about the bignes of hen egs & nereof that forme: their tast was not so good to our seeming as of theother, and therfore their place and manner of growing not so much caredfor by vs: the inhabitŃts notwithstanding vsed to boile & eate many.

'Tsinaw' a kind of roote much like vnto the which in England is calledthe 'China root' brought from the East Indies. And we know not aniething to the c§trary but that it maie be of the same kind. These rootsgrow manie together in great clusters and doe bring foorth a brierstalke, but the leafe in shape far vnlike; which beeing supported by thetrees it groweth neerest vnto, wil reach or climbe to the top of thehighest. From these roots while they be new or fresh beeing chopt intosmall pieces & stampt, is strained with water a iuice that maketh bread,& also being boiled, a very good spoonemeate in maner of a gelly, and ismuch better in tast if it bee tempered with oyle. This 'Tsinaw' is notof that sort which by some was caused to be brought into England for the'China roote', for it was discouered since, and is in vfe as isaforesaide: but that which was brought hither is not yet knowne neitherby vs nor by the inhabitants to serue for any vse or purpose; althoughthe rootes in shape are very like.

'Cosc˙shaw', some of our company tooke to bee that kinde of roote whichthe Spaniards in the West Indies call 'Cassauy', whereupon also manycalled it by that name: it groweth in very muddie pooles and moistgroundes. Being dressed according to the countrey maner, it maketh agood bread, and also a good sponemeate, and is vsed very much by theinhabitants: The iuice of this root is poison, and therefore heede mustbe taken before any thing be made therewithal: Either the rootes mustbee first sliced and dried in the Sunne, or by the fire, and then beingpounded into floure wil make good bread: or els while they are greenethey are to bee pared, cut into pieces and stampt; loues of the same tobe laid neere or ouer the fire vntill it be soure, and then being wellpounded againe, bread, or sponemeate very good in taste, and holsome maybe made thereof.

'Habascon' is a roote of hoat taste almost of the forme and bignesse ofa Parseneepe, of it selfe it is no victuall, but onely a helpe beeingboiled together with other meates.

There are also 'Leekes' differeing little from ours in England that growin many places of the countrey, of which, when we came in places where,wee gathered and eate many, but the naturall inhabitants neuer.

'Of Fruites.'

CHESTNVTS, there are in diuers places great store: some they vse to eaterawe, some they stampe and boile to make spoonemeate, and with somebeing sodden they make such a manner of dowebread as they vfe of theirbeanes before mentioned.

WALNVTS: There are two kindes of Walnuts, and of then infinit store: Inmany places where very great woods for many miles together the thirdpart of trees are walnuttrees. The one kind is of the same taste andforme or litle differing from ours of England, but that they are harderand thicker shelled: the other is greater and hath a verie ragged andharde shell: but the kernell great, verie oylie and sweete. Besidestheir eating of them after our ordinarie maner, they breake them withstones and pound them in morters with water to make a milk which theyvse to put into some sorts of their spoonmeate; also among their soddewheat, peaze, beanes and pompions which maketh them haue a farre morepleasant taste.

MEDLARS a kind of verie good fruit, so called by vs chieflie for theserespectes: first in that they are not good vntill they be rotten: thenin that they open at the head as our medlars, and are about the samebignesse: otherwise in taste and colour they are farre differŕt: forthey are as red as cheries and very sweet: but whereas the cherie issharpe sweet, they are lushious sweet.

METAQVESVNNAVK, a kinde of pleasaunt fruite almost of the shape & bignesof English peares, but that they are of a perfect red colour as wellwithin as without. They grow on a plant whose leaues are verie thickeand full of prickles as sharpe as needles. Some that haue bin in theIndies, where they haue seen that kind of red die of great price whichis called Cochinile to grow, doe describe his plant right like vnto thisof Metaques˙nnauk but whether it be the true Cochinile or a bastard orwilde kind, it cannot yet be certified; seeing that also as I heard,Cochinile is not of the fruite but founde on the leaues of the plant;which leaues for such matter we haue not so specially obserued.

GRAPES there are of two sorts which I mentioned in the marchantablec§modities.

STRABERIES there are as good & as great as those which we haue in ourEnglish gardens.

MVLBERIES, Applecrabs, Hurts or Hurtleberies, such as wee haue inEngland.

SACQVENVMMENER a kinde of berries almost like vnto capres but somewhatgreater which grow together in clusters vpon a plant or herb that isfound in shalow waters: being boiled eight or nine hours according totheir kind are very good meate and holesome, otherwise if they be eatenthey will make a man for the time franticke or extremely sicke.

There is a kind of reed which beareth a seed almost like vnto our rie orwheat, & being boiled is good meate. [In]

In our trauailes in some places wee founde wilde peaze like vnto ours inEngland but that they were lesse, which are also good meate.

'Of a kinde of fruite or berrie in the forme of Acornes.'

There is a kind of berrie or acorne, of which there are fiue sorts thatgrow on seuerall kinds of trees; the one is called 'SagatÚmener', thesecond 'Osßmener', the third 'Pummuckˇner'. These kind of acorns theyvse to drie vpon hurdles made of reeds with fire vnderneath almost afterthe maner as we dry malt in England. When they are to be vsed they firstwater them vntil they be soft & then being sod they make a goodvictuall, either to eate so simply, or els being also pounded, to makeloaues or lumpes of bread. These be also the three kinds of which, Isaid before, the inhabitants vsed to make sweet oyle.

An other sort is called 'Sap˙mmener' which being boiled or parched dotheate and taste like vnto chestnuts. They sometime also make bread ofthis sort.

The fifth sort is called 'Mang˙mmenauk', and is the acorne of their kindof oake, the which beeing dried after the maner of the first sortes, andafterward watered they boile them, & their seruants or sometime thechiefe thŕselues, either for variety or for want of bread, doe eate themwith their fish or flesh.

'Of Beastes.'

'Deare', in some places there are great store: neere vnto the sea coastthey are of the ordinarie bignes as ours in England, & some lesse: butfurther vp into the countrey where there is better feed they aregreater: they differ from ours onely in this, their tailes are longerand the snags of their hornes looke backward.

'Conies', Those that we haue seen & al that we can heare of are of agrey colour like vnto hares: in some places there are such plentie thatall the people of some townes make them mantles of the furre or flue ofthe skinnes of those they vsually take.

'Saquen˙ckot' & 'Maquˇwoc'; two kindes of small beastes greater thenconies which are very good meat. We neuer tooke any of them our selves,but sometime eate of such as the inhabitants had taken & brought vnto vs.

'Squirels' which are of a grey colour, we haue taken & eaten.

'Beares' which are all of black colour. The beares of this countrey aregood meat; the inhabitants in time of winter do use to take & eate maie;so also somtime did wee. They are taken comonlie in this sort. In someIlands or places where they are, being hunted for, as soone as they hauespiall of a man they presently run awaie, & then being chased they climeand get vp the next tree they can, from whence with arrowes they areshot downe starke dead, or with those wounds that they may after easilybekilled; we sometime shotte them downe with our caleeuers.

I haue the names of eight & twenty seuerall sortes of beasts which Ihaue heard of to be here and there dispersed in the countrie, especiallyin the maine: of which there are only twelue kinds that we haue yetdiscouered, & of those that be good meat we know only them beforementioned. The inhabitŃts somtime kil the 'Lyon' & eat him: & we somtimeas they came to our hands of their 'Wolues' or 'woluish Dogges', which Ihaue not set downe for good meat, least that some woulde vnderstand myiudgement therin to be more simple than needeth, although I couldalleage the difference in taste of those kindes from ours, which by someof our company haue been experimented in both.

'Of Foule.'

'Turkie cockes' and 'Turkie hennes': 'Stockdoues': 'Partridges':'Cranes': 'Hernes': & in winter great store of 'Swannes' & 'Geese'. Ofal sortes of foule I haue the names in the countrie language offourescore and sixe of which number besides those that be named, we hauetaken, eaten, & haue the pictures as they were there drawne with thenames of the inhabitaunts of seuerall strange sortes of water fouleeight, and seuenteene kindes more of land foul, although wee haue seenand eaten of many more, which for want of leasure there for the purposecoulde not bee pictured: and after wee are better furnished and storedvpon further discouery, with their strange beastes, fishe, trees,plants, and hearbes, they shall bee also published.

There are also 'Parats', 'Faulcons', & 'Marlin haukes', which althoughwith vs they bee not vsed for meate, yet for other causes I thought goodto mention.

'Of Fishe.'

For foure monthes of the yeere, February, March, Aprill and May, thereare plentie of 'Sturgeons': And also in the same monethes of 'Herrings',some of the ordinary bignesse as ours in England, but the most partfarre greater, of eighteene, twentie inches, and some two foote inlength and better; both these kindes of fishe in those monethes are mostplentifull, and in best season, which wee founde to bee most delicateand pleasaunt meate.

There are also 'Troutes, Porpoises, Rayes, Oldwiues, Mullets, Plaice,'and very many other sortes of excellent good fish, which we haue taken &eaten, whose names I know not but in the countrey language; wee haue oftwelue sorts more the pictures as they were drawn in the countrey withtheir names.

The inhabitants vse to take then two maner of wayes, the one is by akind of wear made of reedes which in that countrey are very strong. Theother way which is more strange, is with poles make sharpe at one end,by shooting them into the fish after the maner as Irishmen cast dartes;either as they are rowing in their boates or els as they are wading inthe shallowes for the purpose. [There]

There are also in many places plentie of these kindes which follow.

'Sea crabbes', such as we haue in England.

'Oystres', some very great, and some small; some rounde and some of along shape: They are founde both in salt water and brackish, and thosethat we had out of salt water are far better than the other as in ourowne countrey.

Also 'Muscles, Scalopes, Periwinkles,' and 'Creuises'.

Seekanauk, a kind of crustie shell fishe which is good meate, about afoote in breadth, hauing a crustie tayle, many legges like a crab; andher eyes in her backe. They are founde in shallowes of salt waters; andsometime on the shoare.

There are many 'Tortoyses' both of lande and sea kinde, their backes &bellies are shelled very thicke; their head, feete, and taile, which arein appearance, seeme ougly as though they were members of a serpent orvenemous: but notwithstanding they are very good meate, as also theiregges. Some haue bene founde of a yard in bredth and better.

And thus haue I made relation of all sortes of victuall that we fed vponfor the time we were in 'Virginia', as also the inhabitants themselues,as farre foorth as I knowe and can remember or that are specially worthyto bee remembred.

THE THIRD AND LAST PART, OF SVCH OTHER THINGES AS IS BE HOO- full for those which shall plant and inhabit to know of; with a description of the nature and manners of the people of the countrey.

'Of commodities for building and other necessary uses.'

THose other things which I am more to make rehearsall of, are such asconcerne building, and other mechanicall necessarie vses; as diuerssortes of trees for house & ship timber, and other vses els: Also lime,stone, and brick, least that being not mentioned some might haue benedoubted of, or by some that are malicious reported the contrary.

'Okes', there are as faire, straight, tall, and as good timber as anycan be, and also great store, and in some places very great.

'Firre trees' fit for masts of ships, some very tall & great.['RakÝock',]

'RakÝock', a kind of trees so called that are sweet wood of which theinhabitans that were neere vnto vs doe commonly make their boats orCanoes of the form of trowes; only with the helpe of fire, harchets ofstones, and shels; we haue known some so great being made in that sortof one tree that they haue carried well xx. men at once, besides muchbaggage: the timber being great, tal, streight, soft, light, & yet toughenough I thinke (besides other vses) to be fit also for masts of ships.

'Cedar', a sweet wood good for seelings, Chests, Boxes, Bedsteedes,Lutes, Virginals, and many things els, as I haue also said before. Someof our company which haue wandered in some places where I haue not bene,haue made certaine affirmation of 'Cyprus' which for such and otherexcellent vses, is also a wood of price and no small estimation.

'Maple', and also 'Wich-hazle'; wherof the inhabitants vse to make theirbowes.

'Holly' a necessary thing for the making of birdlime.

'Willowes' good for the making of weares and weeles to take fish afterthe English manner, although the inhabitants vse only reedes, whichbecause they are so strong as also flexible, do serue for that turnevery well and sufficiently.

'Beech'and 'Ashe', good for caske, hoopes: and if neede require, plowworke, as also for many things els.

'Elme.'

'Sassafras' trees.

'Ascopo' a kinde of tree very like vnto Lawrell, the barke is hoat intast and spicie, it is very like to that tree which Monardus describethto bee 'Cassia Lignea' of the West Indies.

There are many other strange trees whose names I knowe not but in the'Virginian' language, of which I am not nowe able, neither is it soconuenient for the present to trouble you with particular relati§:seeing that for timber and other necessary vses I haue named sufficient:And of many of the rest but that they may be applied to good vse, I knowno cause to doubt.

Now for Stone, Bricke and Lime, thus it is. Neere vnto the Sea coastwhere wee dwelt, there are no kind of stones to bee found (except a fewesmall pebbles about foure miles off) but such as haue bene brought fromfarther out of the maine. In some of our voiages wee haue seene diuershard raggie stones, great pebbles, and a kinde of grey stone like vntomarble, of which the inhabitants make their hatchets to cleeue wood.Vpon inquirie wee heard that a little further vp into the Countrey wereall sortes verie many, although of Quarries they are ignorant, neitherhaue they vse of any store whereupon they should haue occasion to seekeany. For if euerie housholde haue one or two to cracke Nuttes, grindeshelles, whet copper, and sometimes other stones for hatchets, they haueenough: neither vse they any digging, but onely for graues about threefoote deepe: and therefore no maruaile that they know neither Quarries,nor lime stones, which both may bee in places neerer than they wot of.

In the meane time vntill there bee discouerie of sufficient store insome place or other c§uenient, the want of you which are and shalbe theplanters therein may be as well supplied by Bricke: for the makingwhereof in diuers places of the countrey there is clay both excellentgood, and plentie; and also by lime made of Oister shels, and of othersburnt, after the maner as they vse in the Iles of Tenet and Shepy, andalso in diuers other places of England: Which kinde of lime is wellknowne to bee as good as any other. And of Oister shels there is plentieenough: for besides diuers other particular places where are abundance,there is one shallowe sounde along the coast, where for the space ofmany miles together in length, and two or three miles in breadth, thegrounde is nothing els beeing but halfe a foote or a foote vnder waterfor the most part.

This much can I say further more of stones, that about 120. miles fromour fort neere the water in the side of a hill was founde by a Gentlemanof our company, a great veine of hard ragge stones, which I thought goodto remember vnto you.

'Of the nature and manners of the people'

It resteth I speake a word or two of the naturall inhabitants, theirnatures and maners, leauing large discourse thereof vntill time moreconuenient hereafter: nowe onely so farre foorth, as that you may know,how that they in respect of troubling our inhabiting and planting, arenot to be feared; but that they shall haue cause both to feare and louevs, that shall inhabite with them.

They are a people clothed with loose mantles made of Deere skins, &aprons of the same rounde about their middles; all els naked; of such asdifference of statures only as wee in England; hauing no edge tooles orweapons of yron or steele to offend vs withall, neither know they how tomake any: those weap§s that they haue, are onlie bowes made of Witchhazle, & arrowes of reeds; flat edged truncheons also of wood about ayard long, neither haue they any thing to defend themselues but targetsmade of barcks; and some armours made of stickes wickered together withthread.

Their townes are but small, & neere the sea coast but few, somec§taining but 10. or 12. houses: some 20. the greatest that we haueseene haue bene but of 30. houses: if they be walled it is only donewith barks of trees made fast to stakes, or els with poles onely fixedvpright and close one by another.

Their houses are made of small poles made fast at the tops in roundeforme after the maner as is vsed in many arbories in our gardens ofEngland, in most townes couered with barkes, and in some withartificiall mattes made of long rushes; from the tops of the housesdowne to the ground. The length of them is commonly double to thebreadth, in some places they are but 12. and 16. yardes long, and inother some wee haue seene of foure and twentie. [In]

In some places of the countrey one onely towne belongeth to thegouernment of a 'Wirˇans' or chiefe Lorde; in other some two or three,in some sixe, eight, & more; the greatest 'Wirˇans' that yet we haddealing with had but eighteene townes in his gouernmŕt, and able to makenot aboue seuen or eight hundred fighting men at the most: The languageof euery gouernment is different from any other, and the farther theyare distant the greater is the difference.

Their maner of warres amongst themselues is either by sudden surprisingone an other most commonly about the dawning of the day, or moone light;or els by ambushes, or some suttle deuises: Set battels are very rare,except if fall out where there are many trees, where eyther part mayhaue some hope of defence, after the deliuerie of euery arrow, inleaping behind some or other.

If there fall out any warres betweŕ vs & them; what their fight islikely to bee, we hauing aduantages against them so many maner of waies,as by our discipline, our strange weapons and deuises els; especially byordinance great and small, it may be easily imagined; by the experiencewe haue had in some places, the turning vp of their heeles against vs inrunning away was their best defence.

In respect of vs they are a people poore, and for want of skill andiudgement in the knowledge and vse of our things, doe esteeme ourtrifles before thinges of greater value: Notwithstanding in their propermanner considering the want of such meanes as we haue, they seeme veryingenious; For although they haue no such tooles, nor any such craftes,sciences and artes as wee; yet in those thinges they doe, they sheweexcellencie of wit. And by howe much they vpon due consideration shallfinde our manner of knowledges and craftes to exceede theirs inperfection, and speed for doing or execution, by so much the more is itprobable that they shoulde desire our friendships & loue, and haue thegreater respect for pleasing and obeying vs. Whereby may bee hoped ifmeanes of good gouernment bee vsed, that they may in short time bebrought to ciuilitie, and the imbracing of true religion.

Some religion they haue alreadie, which although it be farre from thetruth, yet beyng as it is, there is hope it may bee the easier andsooner reformed.

They beleeue that there are many Gods which they call 'Mantˇac', but ofdifferent sortes and degrees; one onely chiefe and great God, which hathbene from all eternitie. Who as they affirme when hee purposed to makethe worlde, made first other goddes of a principall order to bee asmeanes and instruments to bee vsed in the creation and gouernment tofollow; and after the Sunne, Moone, and Starres, as pettie goddes andthe instruments of the other order more principall. First they say weremade waters, out of which by the gods was made all diuersitie ofcreatures that are visible or inuisible.

For mankind they say a woman was made first, which by the woorking ofone of the goddes, conceiued and brought foorth children: And in suchsort they say they had their beginning. [C 3]

But how manie yeeres or ages haue passed since, they say they can makeno relation, hauing no letters nor other such meanes as we to keeperecordes of the particularities of times past, but onelie tradition fromfather to sonne.

They thinke that all the gods are of humane shape, & therfore theyrepresent them by images in the formes of men, which they call'Kewasowok' one alone is called 'Kewßs'; Them they place in housesappropriate or temples which they call 'Mathicˇmuck'; Where theywoorship, praie, sing, and make manie times offerings vnto them. In some'Machicˇmuck' we haue seene but on 'Kewas', in some two, and in othersome three; The common sort thinke them to be also gods.

They beleeue also the immortalitie of the soule, that after this life assoone as the soule is departed from the bodie according to the workes ithath done, it is eyther carried to heauŕ the habitacle of gods, there toenioy perpetuall blisse and happiness, or els to a great pitte or hole,which they thinke to bee in the furthest partes of their part of theworlde towarde the sunne set, there to burne continually: the place theycall 'Popogusso'.

For the confirmation of this opinion, they tolde mee two stories of twomen that had been lately dead and reuiued againe, the one happened butfew yeres before our comming in the countrey of a wicked man whichhauing beene dead and buried, the next day the earth of the graue beeingseene to moue, was takŕ vp againe; Who made declaration where his soulehad beene, that is to saie very neere entring into 'Popogusso', had notone of the gods saued him & gaue him leaue to returne againe, and teachhis friends what they should doe to auiod that terrible place of tormenr.

The other happened in the same yeere wee were there, but in a towne thatwas threescore miles from vs, and it was tolde mee for straunge newesthat one beeing dead, buried and taken vp againe as the first, shewedthat although his bodie had lien dead in the graue, yet his soule wasaliue, and had trauailed farre in a long broade waie, on both sideswhereof grewe most delicate and pleasaűt trees, bearing more rare andexcellent fruites then euer hee had seene before or was able toexpresse, and at length came to most braue and faire houses, neere whichhee met his father, that had beene dead before, who gaue him greatcharge to goe backe againe and shew his friendes what good they were todoe to enioy the pleasures of that place, which when he had done heshould after come againe.

What subtilty soeuer be in the 'Wiroances' and Priestes, this opinionworketh so much in manie of the common and simple sort of people that itmaketh them haue great respect to their Gouernours, and also great carewhat they do, to auoid torment after death, and to enjoy blisse;although nothwithstanding there is punishment ordained for malefactours,as stealers, whoremoongers, and other sortes of wicked doers; somepunished with death, some with forfeitures, some with beating, accordingto the greatnes of the factes.

And this is the summe of their religion, which I learned by hauingspecial familiarity [miliarity] with some of their priestes. Whereinthey were not so sure grounded, nor gaue such credite to theirtraditions and stories but through conuersing with vs they were broughtinto great doubts of their owne, and no small admirati§ of ours, withearnest desire in many, to learne more than we had meanes for want ofperfect vtterance in their language to expresse.

Most thinges they sawe with vs, as Mathematicall instruments, seacompasses, the vertue of the loadstone in drawing yron, a perspectiueglasse whereby was shewed manie strange sightes, burning glasses,wildefire woorkes, gunnes, bookes, writing and reading, spring clocksthat seeme to goe of themselues, and manie other thinges that wee had,were so straunge vnto them, and so farre exceeded their capacities tocomprehend the reason and meanes how they should be made and done, thatthey thought they were rather the works of gods then of men, or at theleastwise they had bin giuen and taught vs of the gods. Which made manieof them to haue such opinions of vs, as that if they knew not the truethof god and religion already, it was rather to be had from vs, whom Godso specially loued then from a people that were so simple, as they foundthemselues to be in comparison of vs. Whereupon greater credite wasgiuen vnto that we spake of concerning such matters.

Manie times and in euery towne where I came, according as I was able, Imade declaration of the contentes of the Bible; that therein was setfoorth the true and onelie GOD, and his mightie woorkes, that thereinwas contayned the true doctrine of saluation through Christ, which manieparticularities of Miracles and chiefe poyntes of religion, as I wasable then to vtter, and thought fitte for the time. And although I toldthem the booke materially & of itself was not of anie such vertue, as Ithought they did conceiue, but onely the doctrine therein c§tained; yetwould many be glad to touch it, to embrace it, to kisse it, to hold itto their brests and heades, and stroke ouer all their bodie with it; toshew their hungrie desire of that knowledge which was spoken of.

The 'Wiroans' with whom we dwelt called 'Wingina', and many of hispeople would be glad many times to be with vs at our praiers, and manytimes call vpon vs both in his owne towne, as also in others whither hesometimes accompanied vs, to pray and sing Psalmes; hoping thereby tobee partaker in the same effectes which wee by that meanes also expected.

Twise this 'Wiroans' was so greiuously sicke that he was like to die,and as hee laie languishing, doubting of anie helpe by his ownepriestes, and thinking he was in such daunger for offending vs andthereby our god, sent for some of vs to praie and bee a meanes to ourGod that it would please him either that he might liue or after deathdwell with him in blisse; so likewise were the requestes of manie othersin the like case.

On a time also when their corne began to wither by reason of a drouthwhich happened extraordinarily, fearing that it had come to passe byreason that in some thing they had displeased vs, many woulde come tovs & desire vs to praie to our God of England, that he would perseruetheir corne, promising that when it was ripe we also should be partakersof the fruite.

There could at no time happen any strange sicknesse, losses, hurtes, orany other crosse vnto them, but that they would impute to vs the causeor meanes therof for offending or not pleasing vs.

One other rare and strange accident, leauing others, will I mentionbefore I ende, which mooued the whole countrey that either knew orhearde of vs, to haue vs in wonderfull admiration.

There was no towne where we had any subtile deuise practised against vs,we leauing it vnpunished or not reuenged (because wee sought by allmeanes possible to win them by gentlenesse) but that within a few dayesafter our departure from euerie such towne, the people began to die veryfast, and many in short space; in some townes about twentie, in somefourtie, in some sixtie, & in one sixe score, which in trueth was verymanie in respect of their numbers. This happened in no place that weecould learne but where wee had bene, where they vsed some practiseagainst vs, and after such time; The disease also so strange, that theyneither knew what it was, nor how to cure it; the like by the report ofthe oldest men in the countrey neuer happened before, time out of minde.A thing specially obserued by vs as also by the naturall inhabitantsthemselues.

Insomuch that when some of the inhabitantes which were our friends &especially the 'Wiroans Wingina' had obserued such effects in foure orfiue towns to follow their wicked practises, they were preswaded that itwas the worke of our God through our meanes, and that wee by him mightkil and slai whom we would without weapons and not come neere them.

And thereupon when it had happened that they had vnderstanding that anyof their enemies had abused vs in our iourneyes, hearing that wee hadwrought no reuenge with our weapons, & fearing vpon some cause thematter should so rest: did come and intreate vs that we woulde bee ameanes to our God that they as others that had dealt ill with vs mightin like sort die; alleaging howe much it would be for our credite andprofite, as also theirs; and hoping furthermore that we would do so muchat their requests in respect of the friendship we professe them.

Whose entreaties although wee shewed that they were vngodlie, affirmingthat our God would not subiect him selfe to anie such praiers andrequestes of mŕ: that in deede all thinges haue beene and were to bedone according to his good pleasure as he had ordained: Ńd that we toshew ourselues his true seruŃts ought rather to make petition for thecontrarie, that they with them might liue together with vs, bee madepartakers of his truth & serue him in righteousnes; but notwitstandingin such sort, that wee referre that as all other thinges, to bee doneaccording to his diuine will & pleasure, Ńd as by his wisedome he hadordained to be best. [Yet]

Yet because the effect fell out so sodainly and shortly after accordingto their desires, they thought neuertheless it came to passe by ourmeanes, and that we in vsing such speeches vnto them did but dissemblein the matter, and therefore came vnto vs to giue vs thankes in theirmanner that although wee satisfied them not in promise, yet in deedesand effect we had fulfilled their desires.

This maruelous accident in all the countrie wrought so strange opinionsof vs, that some people could not tel whether to think vs gods or men,and the rather because that all the space of their sicknesse, there wasno man of ours knowne to die, or that was specially sicke: they notedalso that we had no women amongst vs, neither that we did care for anyof theirs.

Some therefore were of opinion that wee were not borne of women, andtherefore not mortall, but that wee were men of an old generation manyyeeres past then risen againe to immortalitie.

Some woulde likewise seeme to prophesie that there were more of ourgeneration yet to come, to kill theirs and take their places, as somethought the purpose was by that which was already done.

Those that were immediatly to come after vs they imagined to be in theaire, yet inuisible & without bodies, & that they by our intreaty & forthe loue of vs did make the people to die in that sort as they did byshooting inuisible bullets into them.

To confirme this opinion their phisitions to excuse their ignorance incuring the disease, would not be ashemed to say, but earnestly make thesimple people beleue, that the strings of blood that they sucked out ofthe sicke bodies, were the strings wherewithal the inuisible bulletswere tied and cast.

Some also thought that we shot them ourselues out of our pieces from theplace where we dwelt, and killed the people in any such towne that hadoffended vs as we listed, how farre distant from vs soeuer it were.

And other some saide that it was the speciall woorke of God for oursakes, as wee our selues haue cause in some sorte to thinke no lesse,whatsoeuer some doe or maie imagine to the contrarie, specially someAstrologers knowing of the Eclipse of the Sunne which wee saw the sameyeere before in our voyage thytherward, which vnto them appeared veryterrible. And also of a Comet which beganne to appeare but a few daiesbefore the beginning of the said sicknesse. But to exclude them frombeing the speciall an accident, there are farther reasons then I thinkefit at this present to bee alleadged.

These their opinions I haue set downe the more at large that it mayappeare vnto you that there is good hope they may be brought throughdiscreet dealing and gouernement to the imbracing of the trueth, andnsequently to honour, obey, feare and loue vs.

And although some of our companie towardes the ende of the yeare, shewedthemselues too fierce, in slaying some of the people, in some towns,vpon causes that on our part, might easily enough haue been bornewithall: yet notwithstanding because it was on their part iustlydeserued, the alteration of their opinions generally & for the most partconcerning vs is the lesse to bee doubted. And whatsoeuer els they maybe, by carefulnesse of our selues neede nothing at all to be feared.

The best neuerthelesse in this as in all actions besides is to beendeuoured and hoped, & of the worst that may happen notice to bee takenwith consideration, and as much as may be eschewed. ['The']

'The Conclusion.'

NOW I haue as I hope made relation not of so fewe and smal things butthat the countrey of men that are indifferent & wel disposed maie besufficiently liked: If there were no more knowen then I haue mentioned,which doubtlesse and in great reason is nothing to that which remainethto bee discouered, neither the soile, nor commodities. As we haue reasonso to gather by the difference we found in our trauails: for althoughall which I haue before spoken of, haue bin discouered & experiementednot far from the sea coast where was our abode & most of our trauailing:yet somtimes as we made our iourneies farther into the maine andcountrey; we found the soyle to bee fatter; the trees greater and togrowe thinner; the grounde more firme and deeper mould; more and largerchampions; finer grasse and as good as euer we saw any in England; insome places rockie and farre more high and hillie ground; more plentieof their fruites; more abondance of beastes; the more inhabited withpeople, and of greater pollicie & larger dominions, with greater townesand houses.

Why may wee not then looke for in good hope from the inner parts of moreand greater plentie, as well of other things, as of those which wee hauealreadie discouered? Vnto the Spaniardes happened the like indiscouering the maine of the West Indies. The maine also of thiscountrey of 'Virginia', extending some wayes so many hundreds ofleagues, as otherwise then by the relation of the inhabitants wee hauemost certaine knowledge of, where yet no Christian Prince hath anypossession or dealing, cannot but yeeld many kinds of excellentcommodities, which we in our discouerie haue not yet seene.

What hope there is els to be gathered of the nature of the climate,being answerable to the Iland of 'Iapan', the land of 'China, Persia,Jury, the Ilandes of 'Cyprus' and 'Candy', the South parts 'Greece,Italy', and 'Spaine', and of many other notable and famous countreis,because I meane not to be tedious, I leaue to your owne consideration.'

Whereby also the excellent temperature of the ayre there at all seasons,much warmer then in England, and neuer so violently hot, as sometimes isvnder & between the Tropikes, or neere them; cannot bee vnknowne vntoyou without farther relation.

For the holsomnesse thereof I neede to say but thus much: that for allthe want of prouision, as first of English victuall; excepting fortwentie daies, wee liued only by drinking water and by the victuall ofthe countrey, of which some sorts were very straunge vnto vs, and mighthaue bene thought to haue altered our temperatures in such sort as tohaue brought vs into some greeuous and dŃgerous diseases: secondly thewŃt of English meanes, for the taking of beastes, fishe, and foule,which by the helpe only of the inhabitants and their meanes, coulde notbee so suddenly and easily prouided for vs, nor in so great numbers &quantities, nor of that choise as otherwise might haue bene to ourbetter satisfaction and contentment. Some want also wee had of clothes.Furthermore, in all our trauailes which were most speciall and often inthe time of winter, our lodging was in the open aire vpon the grounde.And yet I say for all this, there were but foure of our whole company(being one hundred and eight) that died all the yeere and that but atthe latter ende thereof and vpon none of the aforesaide causes. For allfoure especially three were feeble, weake, and sickly persons beforeeuer they came thither, and those that knewe them much marueyled thatthey liued so long beeing in that case, or had aduentured to trauaile.

Seing therefore the ayre there is so temperate and holsome, the soyle sofertile and yeelding such commodities as I haue before mentioned, thevoyage also thither to and fro beeing sufficiently experimented, to beeperfourmed thrise a yeere with ease and at any season thereof: And thedealing of 'Sir Walter Raleigh' so liberall in large giuing and graűtinglande there, as is alreadie knowen, with many helpes and furtherancesels: (The least that hee hath graunted hath beene fiue hundred acres toa man onely for the aduenture of his person): I hope there reamine nocause whereby the action should be misliked.

If that those which shall thither trauaile to inhabite and plant bee butreasonably prouided for the first yere as those are which weretransported the last, and beeing there doe vse but that diligence andcare as is requisite, and as they may with eese: There is no doubt butfor the time following they may haue victuals that is excellent good andplentie enough; some more Englishe sortes of cattaile also hereafter, assome haue bene before, and are there yet remaining, may and shall beeGod willing thiter transported: So likewise our kinde of fruites,rootes, and hearbes may bee there planted and sowed, as some haue benealreadie, and proue wel: And in short time also they may raise of thosesortes of commodities which I haue spoken of as shall both enrichtheselues, as also others that shall deale with them.

And this is all the fruites of our labours, that I haue thoughtnecessary to aduertise you of at this present: what els concerneth thenature and manners of the inhabitants of 'Virginia': The number with theparticularities of the voyages thither made; and of the actions of suchthat haue bene by 'Sir Walter Raleigh' therein and there imployed, manyworthy to bee remembered; as of the first discouerers of the Countrey:of our generall for the time 'Sir Richard Greinuile'; and after hisdeparture, of our Gouernour there Master 'Rafe Lane'; with diuers otherdirected and imployed vnder theyr gouernement: Of the Captaynes andMasters of the voyages made since for transporation; of the Gouernourand assistants of those alredie transported, as of many persons,accidŕts, and thinges els, I haue ready in a discourse by itselfe in maner of a Chronicle according to the course of times, and whentime shall bee thought conuenient shall be also published.

This referring my relation to your fauourable constructions, expectinggood successe of the action, from him which is to be acknowledged theauthour and gouernour not only of this but of all things els, I take myleaue of you, this moneth of Februarii, 1588.